The Never Ending Journey/ Gospel Advancement/ Still Empowered for Mission
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Job’s Not Finished
Job’s Not Finished
Act 28:23-31
Main Idea:
The job of a Christian is a never ending journey.
Intro:
Kids you are dismissed and you can head to Kid’s chruch.
Good morning Church!
It is a good day to be in the house of the Lord.
I’m Zach Klundt and I am the associate Pastor here at Freshwater.
And it is a great joy to be with you this morning!
On January 8th of 2023 we embarked on an incredible journey through the book of Acts.
It just so happened to be my families first Sunday here at Freshwater.
and over the last year an half we have been working through the books of Acts
And today we are going to be wrapping up the book of Acts.
And we opened to the beginning of the Gospel movement.
The Gospel is the Good news of Jesus Christ:
Because of the sin that entered the world we were set up to live separated from God.
And in God’s perfect timing, He sent Jesus.
He came and lived a perfect life.
He was crucified and killed on a cross and three days later he rose from the dead.
He conquered life and death and he made a promise that he would return one day.
It was a promise that was made but he also issued a job to the disciples.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
And this job, this mission was set up for all people.
I know I keep saying this word job— and here is why:
This past week We went to the SBC— Southern Baptist Convention and we heard from a preacher named Dr. Robert Smith, JR.
And he challenged us with a different perceptive on how to live our lives for the Gospel.
He asked a simple question to us: what do you do for a living?
Referring to your job— think about that.
Answer that to yourself.
What do you do?
I’m an accountant, I’m a baker, I sell phones, I grooms dogs.
Most of us have a job or have had a job.
Yet here is the challenge— he asked that question once to us and we are all responding.
Doctor, construction worker, CEO, cashier and so on.
AND Then he said NO!!!
That is not your job.
THAT IS YOUR MINISTRY!
What is your job?
Your Job is to spread the Gospel.
If you are a believer you are to be a witnesses to the ends of the earth.
In order that the Gospel will be spread to all people.
We saw this take place from the beginning of Acts until the final chapter.
Starting with—when the holy spirit fell on the disciples and Peter took the stage and the Gospel advanced.
It kept advancing into every city and towns— and Jesus would eventually grab hold of this guy named Paul.
Who was blinded on the road to Damascus by Jesus and he was sent out to the be not just a witness to the end of the earth but to a specific group the gentiles (the non jews).
Paul would be made to see and he never looked back on his mission.
And after three successful missionary journeys, where he would established churches, relationships, deacons and elders— The Gospel was preached everywhere he went.
And in some towns the Gospel feel on fertile ground and many came to know Christ and they were baptized.
And there was sometimes where Paul walked into those town and he was beaten, thrown into jail, stones, whipped, and thrown out of the town.
And nobody came to know Christ.
The Gospel did not stall but it kept advancing.
This of course ticked off The Jews and they sought to stop Paul.
Paul would eventually be arrested and held in court at multiple places, until he appeals to Caesar.
Who is in Rome— and after a shipwreck and staying on an island— Paul finally makes it to Rome.
And pretty much from about Acts 13 till Acts 28— It is the story of Paul and his journey.
And after reflecting on the back half of Acts— I can’t help but think that Paul had to be just exhausted.
Can you imagine if you were in Paul’s shoes.
And Paul was not young— he was in his late 50’s early 60’s.
And the guy had just been through it all.
In 2 Corinthians 11 you can read all about Paul’s suffering for the sake of the Gospel.
2 cor 11:24-28
Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches.
Paul had to be just exhausted at the end of the this book.
I know I would have been.
Me: Murph Run
On Memorial day I partook in an event call the Murph challenge.
It is a crossfit type of work out.
Maybe you don’t know what crossfit is, that is okay— it is just a really hard work out that is done in memory of a fallen solider— named LT. Michael P. Murphy.
The work is made up of simple movements but put together is really tough
It is this:
Run 1 mile
100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 Air Squats
Run 1 Mile
That is the work out.
You are suppose to finish it in an hour.
Notice how I said suppose to.
I did this with my buddy Travis out at Functional Root in California MO.
And he finished it and I gave up.
I was way to tired to keep going.
I wanted to but I just could not keep going.
I ran a mile
60 Pull ups
120 push ups
180 air squats
ran/ mostly walked 1 mile.
Time was 58mins.
And of course I have an after photo for you
I was dead guys.
And of course my buddy give me a hard time because I did not finish the race.
You might want to take sympathy on me but don’t.
I quit.
I was tired.
I was just done.
I could not and would not do anymore.
and afterwards I felt the remorse of not finishing well.
And our knee jerk reaction is to say— it’s okay you tried— you did what you could and that all sounds good.
We all like to hear that but I felt like I had more in the tank— I just flat gave up.
I think there are times in our lives where we just flat out give up and we still have plenty more in the tank yet we just stop.
Or maybe we believe that oh that is just not for me anymore.
And don’t get me wrong there will be things that we use to do but we no longer can do.
I think that as we advance in years and in experience we grow tired— and be begin to quit.
And this becomes evident in our relationship with Christ and the role we play in being his witnesses.
And heres the deal I think:
We: We are people who think in terms of completion rather then the ongoing.
Nobody likes that “to do list” that is a never ending list.
We tend to be people that when life gets hard we might grit it out a bit but eventually everyone has a breaking point and all will stop.
If this happens, then I am out.
We give up on diets, new year resolutions, flossing, dreams, and going to the gym unbelievably fast.
We quit way too easily.
We give in.
When my 11 year old Evey was learning to tie her shoes, several years ago, she handed them to me one day and said— I can’t do it.
And what is our response parents?
Well have you tried it?
to which she said no—
Then you show them and then we make them do it.
And she was just so frustrated with it and after about 20 seconds she asks me to just do it for her.
And when it comes to our faith, or even our spiritual journey we seem to just shrug our shoulders and give in, or even give up.
And what I want to challenge us with today is: The job of a Christian is a never ending journey.
When it does end on this earth we are ushered into eternity.
That is our retirement.
Eternity is our retirement.
Yet, I don’t think that is our mindset.
We think that our job or our mission of being a believer is over because of our circumstances.
We put pause on serving, we put a pause on life groups, we put a pause on witnessing to our neighbors or our families, we put a pause on reading our Bibles, pause on praying, pause on fasting, pause, pause, pause.
We allow our circumstances to outweigh our convictions.
We stop and when we stop long enough— the mission of the Gospel that has been entrusted to us— get’s paused also.
Yet as we open up to Acts 28 this morning we are at the end of Paul’s life.
And he has done anything but give up.
God: God does not expect us to stop being a witness
This is what Acts has revealed to me over the past year and half.
That we are to be his witnesses no matter our circumstances.
And Paul is a perfect example of this.
Paul has finally made it to Rome.
This is the place that he really wanted to get to and in verse 14— we see that after being shipwrecked in Malta, he got bit by a snake, healed lot of people and ministering to the people on this island and then he ends up Rome.
And while in Rome he was under house arrest.
Yet he was allowed to have visitors and was able to do lots of stuff, while waiting for his hearing.
This is where we pick up today in Acts 28 verse 17.
After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”
Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
And Paul begins to talk to the Jewish leaders and he begins to explain himself, about why he was arrested, that he was innocent and why he was in Rome.
And they tell him— we have not heard of anything you are saying.
But they wanted to hear more.
The Jewish leaders who were in Rome were willing to listen to Paul.
A man under house arrest and they were willing to listen.
And here is what Paul said:
After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.
Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah
Paul begins to speak and he tries to persuade the Jews about Jesus.
He opens up the scriptures and tries to show them who Jesus is.
He tries to be a witness for of the Gospel.
And look— some listened— they were persuaded and they became believers.
But there were others who did not come to know Jesus.
They were not persuaded by Paul.
And then there was this disagreement that broke out.
And Paul turned and quotes from Prophet Isaiah.
Look what he says:
when he said,
Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.
Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Paul is saying to the Jews— look you are going to hear but not understand.
You are going to see but not perceive.
You are going to have your hearts grow dull.
And at the end he tell the Jewish leaders that God’s salvation has come to the gentiles.
Paul was not giving up on the Jews— He never gave up on the Jews.
This is why he was still reaching out to them to try and persuade them.
Paul still tells them however that he is still going to be a witness to the gentiles.
God’s salvation is to all who believe in Jesus.
If you were a jew listening to Paul say this— This would have fired you up!
Not in a good way.
A disagreement between Paul and the Jews had come to the surface.
And the Jews in this situation are doing exactly what Paul is quoting Isaiah 6 about.
And this would have caused more of them to leave.
They were ticked off at Paul— living up to exactly what God said about them to the prophet Isaiah.
And at the very last two verses of the book this is what Luke writes.
Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Paul was there for two whole years until he would be executed.
And in those two years Paul welcomed everyone to him.
He proclaimed the kingdom of God.
Paul was still teaching about the Jesus.
And he was doing it with boldness and nobody was getting in his way.
Paul kept advancing the Gospel.
His circumstances did not dictate his mission.
He kept writing letters, he kept in contact with certain places and was being a witness.
At the end of Paul’s life he didn’t enjoy retirement— the missions wasn’t finished.
And Paul had a different mindset when it come to the advancing the Gospel.
It was a never quit— at all cost mindset.
Paul was not going to give up.
He wasn’t finished yet.
This hyper focused mindset is rare.
And I really don’t think we see it a ton.
A couple of people come to mind but one that sticks out is Kobe Bryant.
He had this Mamba Mentality.
If you don’t know Kobe— here is a snapshot for you.
Kobe came into a press conference of the 2007 NBA finals. The Lakers were up 2-0 against the Orlando Magic— pretty comfortable lead— Yet Kobe did not look very happy. A sports writer asked him whats the story Kobe, you are up 2-0? You’re not happy? To which Kobe responded: What is there to be happy about? The job’s not finished.” Is the job finished? No, then what is there to be happy about.”
That was his mamba mentality— it was being the best version of you at all cost.
Paul did not have mamba mentality because the best version of him was found in Christ.
Paul had a gospel mentality.
Paul never gave up when it came to sharing the gospel.
And he shared it at all cost.
Paul was all in until he died.
And the Book of Acts end without closure— it ends more with a simple phrase:
Paul welcomed all, preached to all, taught all, and Gospel went forward with boldness and without hinderance to all.
This morning I want you to understand that Paul’s mission is our mission.
The job of Paul was a never ending journey.
Our job is a continuation of the mission Christ called us too.
You: You have been empowered by the spirit to be God’s witnesses to the end of the earth.
Paul never gave up.
Paul took every opportunity to witness to others.
No matter the outcome.
He was just faithful.
What about you?
Do you take every chance to witness to others?
What I find interesting is that Paul would quotes Isaiah 6.
Prior to what Paul quoted:
The Prophet Isaiah was being commissioned by God.
Isaiah was given a vision from the Lord.
and this scene was just incredible.
You have these 6 winged creatures called Seraphims and the temple was filled with just the hem of God’s robe.
And these Seraphims are calling to one another saying
*Holy Holy Holy Is the Lord God Armies— His glory fills the whole earth.
And whole temple shook and smoked filled the temple.
And in that moment Isaiah being presented with God almighty— he falls to his face and cries out that he is unworthy.
He is ruined.
A man of unclean lips.
Isaiah was in the presence The Perfect God and he realized that he was imperfect.
And Through his confession the Lord removed his sin and it was atoned for.
And then the Lord asked a question:
He has a mission for someone
Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking:
Who will I send?
Who will go for us?
I said:
Here I am. Send me.
The Lord needed someone to go to the Jews.
Isaiah did not know the mission ahead but said I will go anyways.
Church The Lord is calling you out as well.
Not one believer is exempt from this call.
We are all called to go to the far reaches of the earth, as Christ commanded us.
That does not mean we all have to go and be an over sea missionary but it does mean that we have a mission here where we are.
Friends, the book of Acts ends with a call to continue— so who will raise up to meet the call?
Who will be the next Peter?
Who will be the next John?
Who will be the next Stephen?
Who will be the next Philip?
Who will be the next Paul?
Who will be the next Ananias?
Who will be the next James?
Who will be the next Barnabas?
Who will be the next Silas?
Who will be the next Timothy?
Who will be the next Lydia?
Who will be the next Apollos?
Who will be the next John Mark?
Who will be the next Aquila?
Who will be the next Priscilla?
May our cry be today and everyday— HERE I AM LORD SEND ME!
What if we all took our job seriously?
What if we all began to raise up and say I will go.
We: I will we go across the street for the Gospel.
I will we go to the JC community, Ashland community, Cali Community, Holt Summit Community with the Gospel.
I will we go to the state of Missouri with the Gospel.
I will we go to the ends of the earth for the Gospel.
Are you willing to go to these places?
Will you go even if it means that no one will listen?
or that no one will hear?
That hearts will be hardened?
To put it this way—
Are you still willing to share the Gospel even if it gets rejected by friends and loved ones.
Will you keep sharing even if it will cost you relationships.
Will we not give up?
This morning Church as you as here and as we wrap up Acts— the question is simple— who will continue on?
Who will go— I pray that there is a stirring in your hearts this morning.
That God is beginning to move and that you feel the urge to go.
Because that is our job.
And maybe you already are being a witness— maybe you are sharing your faith.
Maybe you are discipling someone.
Maybe you are being a light in some very dark places!
That is awesome!
Maybe you are here and you are stuck—
Been there—
What does it look like for us to start being intentional with those around us.
In the places the Lord has us in?
Paul was intentional even in prison— it did not stop him from share the Gospel.
What does it mean for us to be witnesses to the ends of the earth?
And I know we hear often that we can do this by the way we hold ourselves, and not use words and while that is true, and I’m not taking anything away from that.
I would pose a question— Did Paul use words?
Did Peter use words?
Did Jesus use words?
The answer is of course yes—
I believe that we also need to move our mouths more then we currently do.
A common belief is that good people go to heaven— people around you might just think this is why you are the way you are.
Let us be willing to speak about the hope we have in Christ and Christ alone.
The job of a Christian is a never ending journey.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
You will be my witnesses.
Your job is to be God’s witnesses everywhere you go— and when you go you are going into your ministries.
You are going into your work places— your mission fields
To your neighbors.
To your co-workers.
To your community.
To your schools.
To your baseball games, football games, and all of the games.
To the gym
To the pool
To where ever you go.
YOU GO TO BE A WITNESS TO ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.
THAT IS YOUR JOB!
It does not stop!
It does not quit!
Because The Gospel does not stop
It does not quit
When Paul got to Rome he didn’t enjoy retirement the job was not done!
Our job is not done.
And you might be thinking that is exhausting!
That I can’t be on all the time like that.
No you can’t But you can through Christ who stregthen you.
Paul was not tired— He should have been but he wasn’t!
He was invigorated by the GOSPEL!
For it has the power to save lives.
Let me ask you when was the last time you were invigorated by the Gospel?
If it has been awhile, don’t worry I’ve been in those trenches before—
BUT DON’T STAY THERE.
WE HAVE A JOB TO DO!
AND THE WORK ISN’T GETTING EASIER.
It doesn’t matter if they listen and don’t understand
or see and don’t perceive.
The Heart may be hard but I’m still going to tell you about Jesus.
Let me tell you about our God!
Because Our God can cause the deaf to hear
And The blind to see
And he can soften the hardest of hearts.
But do you have the boldness to stand and say HERE I AM LORD SEND ME?
I WILL GO?
I know that you will be rejected
I know that you will be mocked
but do we have the stregthen to say I’ll go until my dying breath— HERE I AM LORD SEND ME!!
I hope that you have been challenged this morning and you need to share the truth of the Gospel with someone—
Do it.
Walk across the street—
love the unlovable
Persuade them about Jesus with your words and your actions.
Keep on speaking Jesus.
Until your dying breath—
Be people who welcome all in, who proclaim the Kingdom of God, who teach about Jesus and they are bold and they do it without hinderance.
For the Job is not finished yet.
Will you pray with me:
Lord you are worthy of it all. Lord we thank you for the example of Paul and how he was a witness to the ends of the earth. Lord our prayer this morning is that you will raise up people to continue on the mission of witnessing to others. Anywhere and everywhere we go. Whether it is across the street or half way around the world. Lord invigorate us this morning. Lord we are hungry for you. We are hungry for your word, we are hungry for your mission. Lord help us to see your instructions as a job to us. A job that we love and are passionate about and can’t shut up about. Lord we love you and we ask that you give us a heart for your people.